Specializing in the Latest of Independent and Foreign Cinema
By Joshua Handler

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Thursday, May 16, 2013

Joss Whedon and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Through Film Society of Lincoln Center

The following is a press release from the Film Society of Lincoln Center:

THE FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER presents An Evening with Joss WhedonWednesday, May 29

Special filmmaker talk will follow a sneak preview of Whedon’s upcoming film MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

New York, NY (May 16, 2013) – The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today An Evening with Joss Whedon at the Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th Street). Writer-director Whedon will take part in a wide-ranging conversation about his career—from his Oscar-nominated screenplay for TOY STORY to his cult TV shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and recent blockbuster hits like THE AVENGERS. The filmmaker conversation will follow a special sneak preview of his bold and modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, opening at the Film Society on Friday, June 7.

A multi-hyphenate with successes that few peers can match on film, television, and the internet, Whedon counts among his accomplishments being the creator of beloved TV programs such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1996-2003), “Angel” (1999-2004), "Firefly" (2002-2003), and “Dollhouse” (2009-2010); an Oscar-nominated screenwriter of TOY STORY (1995) and co-writer of the subversive genre bender, THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (2012); the creative force behind the internet sensation Supervillain Musical, "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog"; and, most recently, as the director of the third highest grossing motion picture of all-time, THE AVENGERS.

With his latest film, Shakespeare's classic comedy is given a contemporary spin in Whedon's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Shot in just 12 days (and using the original text), the story of sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick offers a dark, sexy and occasionally absurd view of the intricate game that is love. Starring familiar faces from previous Whedon projects like Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Fran Kranz, Tom Lenk and Sean Maher, the film (and play) features nefarious plots and a series of comic and tragic events seem as though they may keep the anyone from truly finding happiness, but then again perhaps love may prevail.

Whedon is the first third-generation TV writer, following the footsteps of both his grandfather John Whedon (“The Donna Reed Show,” “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Leave It to Beaver;”), and his father, Tom Whedon (“Alice,” “Benson,” “Golden Girls”). His writing career began with assignments on the television series, “Roseanne” and “Parenthood,” before his feature film script for BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER became a box office success in 1992.

Whedon garnered an Oscar nomination for his work on TOY STORY prior to writing the script for ALIEN RESURRECTION (1997) and seeing his groundbreaking television series version of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” establish itself as a cultural touchstone. After the television run of his space western “Firefly,” and the subsequent big-screen adaptation SERENITY (2005), Whedon, along with his brothers Zack and Jed, Maurissa Tancharoen, created “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” as an online three-part musical, originally streaming for free. The self-funded project became an unprecedented hit, eventually earning the project an Emmy for Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Programs.

In 2012, Whedon’s THE AVENGERS broke box office records. As his adaptation of William Shakespeare’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is set to debut, Whedon is at work both on the television series “The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” and THE AVENGERS 2 from the Marvel Universe.

Tickets are on sale now for both An Evening with Joss Whedon ($20.00), and the opening of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING on Friday, June 7(general public $13.00; $9.00 for students and seniors (62+); and $8.00 for Film Society members). Visit www.FilmLinc.com for complete film festival information.